Bear with Another

INTRO

We are better together when we bear with one another (Eph 4:2)

DISCUSSION

Forbearing

ἀνέχομαι

BDAG: regard with tolerance, endure, bear with, put up with

to bear (endure) v. — to endure something unpleasant or difficult whether on one’s own behalf or on behalf of someone else.

ADEL: to spare; to treat with indulgence and patience

14x in Scripture

Suffer: 7x (Mt 17:17; 1 Cor 4:12; 2 Cor 11:19-20)

Bear with (2 Cor 11:1, 4)

Forbearing (Eph 4:2; Col 3:13)

Endure (2 Thess 1:4; 2 Tim 4:3)

“It is enduring a behaviour and then working through it. Unity requires tolerance at a relational level without being indifferent to truth.” (Bock, TNTC)

Revised English Bible: put up with failings

One another: ἀλλήλων each other, mutually; L&N: a reciprocal reference between entities; Reciprocal--shared, felt or shown by both sides--both sides show forbearance with each other

in love

Reasons to bear with one another

Be followers of God

the Father

Jesus Mt 17:17

Paves the way for unity (Eph 4:3)

We bear with one another in the church

Paul writing to a local congregation; talking to the church. Many things to bear in the church

Personality differences—all kinds in the church (Mt 13:47; 1 Cor 3:12-13)

Ignorance Heb 5:12

Unfair criticism (unrighteous judgment) Jn 7:24; 1 Pet 2:23-

Weaknesses in others (Rom 15:1-3)

KJV literal here: infirmities; sicknesses; we do bear with the sick

weak faith

weakness in fighting sin—Peter helped Simon (Acts 8:22-24)

Better together when we limiting our forbearance

The unrepentant (Mt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5)

Divisive people (Ti 3:10)

False teachers (2 Cor 11:1, 4, 19-20)

Exhortation

In the church, we learn to be patient and bear with each other; in our weaknesses and failings.